Rafael Teixeira de Souza (born 13 July 1992) in Água Boa, commonly known as Rafael Gladiador, is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a striker.

Rafael Gladiador
Personal information
Full name Rafael Teixeira de Souza
Date of birth (1992-07-13) 13 July 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Água Boa, Brazil
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
0000–2011 Bahia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Bahia 13 (1)
2013D.C. United (loan) 7 (1)
2013Atlético Goianiense (loan) 4 (0)
2014–2015 Atlético Zacatepec 4 (0)
2015 Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard 12 (6)
2017 Tupi 10 (2)
2019 Cabofriense 6 (1)
2019 Paços de Ferreira
2020 Patrocinense 9 (1)
2020 Juventude
2021 Palmas 8 (5)
International career
2011 Brazil U20 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 December 2021
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 September 2019

Club career

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In 2011, Rafael Gladiador signed for Bahia's first team from its reserve squad. In 36 appearances for Bahia he scored 10 goals.

On 9 January 2013, it was announced that he would join D.C. United as a young designated player on a one-year loan[1] with a pre-negotiated option to make the move permanent.[2] He scored his first goal for the team in his debut game on 23 March, a 2–1 home defeat to the Columbus Crew.[3] After making four more appearances with United, Rafael suffered a concussion during training.

Rafael Gladiador and DC agreed to part ways in June 2013.[4]

In July 2015, Rafael Gladiador transferred to China League One side Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard.[5]

On 5 July 2019, Rafael Gladiador signed with Paços de Ferreira after a stint in Brazil with Cabofriense.[6] However, he didn't play any games for the club, before he returned to Brazil, signing with Patrocinense in December 2019. In August 2020, he moved to Sociedade Esportiva Juventude.[7]

Rafael joined Palmas ahead of the 2021 Campeonato Tocantinense.[8]

International career

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Rafael has represented Brazil at the under-20 level 3 times.

References

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  1. ^ "DC United ink Brazilian striker Rafael on loan as young DP". MLS. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  2. ^ Cammarota, Nick. "DC not after another No. 9 after signing young DP Rafael". MLS. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  3. ^ "MLS Match Recap: DC United 1, Columbus Crew 2". MLS. 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  4. ^ "D.C. United, Rafael mutually agree to part ways". D.C. United. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  5. ^ 新疆队巴西外援将到位 at xjdsb.com 2015-07-03 Retrieved 2015-07-03(in Chinese)
  6. ^ "Ex-Cabofriense, Rafael Gladiador acerta com o Paços de Ferreira, de Portugal". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 5 July 2019.
  7. ^ Sampaio, Matheus (14 August 2020). "Juventude anuncia a contratação do atacante Rafael Gladiador, ex-Patrocinense". Globo Esporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Gladiador vibra com momento no Palmas e ressalta qualidade do grupo". Globo Esporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
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